Comtois Scores in Fourth OT, Gulls Win 3-2 to Set History with Fifth Longest Game in AHL History
May 4, 2019Max Comtois scored 124:20 into overtime to lead the Gulls to a 3-2 win in the fifth longest game in AHL history. His goal 64:20 into the fourth overtime sealed the victory in his postseason debut at Rabobank Arena. The quadruple overtime playoff contest is the longest postseason game in Gulls history.
"It’s already tomorrow, right now. We need to get rest," said head coach Dallas Eakins. "It’s rest, food, liquids, electrolytes and more rest. The guys that are playing, we’ll get them over here a hour and a half or two hours before the game and reconvene, have a couple meetings and we’ll be right back at it."
Jeff Glass stopped 51-of-53 shots as he secured his fourth win of the postseason, breaking the club record for saves in a single game. With his fourth win, Glass tied the Gulls all-time postseason record for wins by a goaltender, also held by Jhonas Enroth over a span of 10 games in 2017.
"I think at that point, we’ve worked hard enough as a group that you want to do everything in your power to give them the best chance to win," said Glass. "As a group we played outstanding and (we’re) obviously ecstatic with the win, but it’s one win and we want them all."
Max Comtois, who was assigned to San Diego prior to the game, scored the game-winning goal in his Calder Cup Playoffs debut, his first career playoff goal. With the score, Comtois became the youngest player in club history to record an overtime playoff goal.
"Just gave it to (Kevin Roy) and he made a sick play to get both (defensemen) to him and give me some space," said Comtois on his goal to seal the win. "Just find a way to put it in. We were pretty tired with four overtimes so we’re just happy to have the win."
Justin Kloos scored a goal and now has 2-3=5 points in five postseason games for the Gulls. Extending his point streak to five games, Kloos is just the second player to record a point in each of the first five Gulls playoff games (also Nick Ritchie in 2016).
Sam Carrick also recorded a goal giving him points in three straight games (2G/2A) and leads the team with 3-4=7 points in five playoff games. Ben Street extended his point streak to three games (1G/2A) with an assist on Carrick’s goal.
The puck dropped and the Gulls third trip to the Pacific Division Finals began as each teams traded chances in the opening 20 minutes. Sam Carrick gave Ben Street a breakaway chance with a long breakout pass from deep in his own zone, but Street could not convert as Shane Starrett deflected the puck wide with 6:30 remaining in the period.
San Diego outshot Bakersfield 7-5 in the opening frame, but the period ended the same way that it began, tied with no goals. The scoreless tie marks the first time this postseason and fourth instance all-time that a Gulls playoff game has had no goals after the first period.
Midway through the following period, Bakersfield’s David Gust made a big hit on Isac Lundestrom. Multiple players stood up for the 19-year-old center who has just been assigned to the Gulls prior to the game. After a couple minutes, the referees gave offsetting minors to each team and an interference penalty to Gust, giving San Diego their first power play of the game.
A blocked shot by Bakersfield resulted in the puck bouncing off of the boards and down the ice in favor of the Condors. Speeding down to pick up the puck was Patrick Russell while Brad Malone caught up with him for a odd-man rush. The two connected on a pass that gave Malone a wide open net for the shorthanded goal at the 12:09 mark of the second.
A late high-sticking penalty on Logan Day in the second period carried over to the third, giving the Gulls their second power play of the game. After San Diego dumped the puck into the zone, Kevin Roy forecheck a Condors defender behind their net, forcing him to make a bad pass. Justin Kloos intercepted the puck in the slot and faked a shot to drag Starrett out before shooting the puck over his glove just 32 seconds into the third period.
A few minutes later Bakersfield retook the lead on a goal by Joe Gambardella at the 4:22 mark of the third. Glass made a save on the initial shot, but Gambardella shoved the puck under his pad. The goal was put under review by the official after Glass disputed the call, but ultimately would result in the Condors second goal of the night.
Following Gambardella’s score, it took the Gulls only 11 seconds to tie the game up from the faceoff at center ice. After a faceoff win, San Diego dumped the puck into the offensive zone and another hard forecheck proved to be the recipe for success as Corey Tropp freed up the puck in the slot. Street backhanded the loose puck to Carrick who one-timed a shot past a sprawled out Starrett.
The remainder of the third period would be without a goal or penalty, forcing an overtime with both teams tied at two goals apiece. The shot totals were 28-25 in favor of the Condors entering the extra minutes of Game 1.
The Gulls outshot the Condors 12-7 in the first overtime, setting a new postseason record for shots on goal in a postseason overtime. Perhaps the best scoring chance of the period came by Chase De Leo who kicked up a pass from Kloos, but couldn’t control the puck for the goal.
San Diego killed the lone penalty given to Max Jones for high-sticking and the game was forced into a double overtime after no goals were scored in the first 20 minutes of extended play. Chances were traded in a second overtime, but the game required yet another 20 minutes of play as the Gulls nine shots and the Condors seven didn’t find the back of the net.
About five minutes into the third overtime, Glass made a big save on an outside shot, but an even bigger one right after. A rebound from the initial shot bounced out, going right to Mitch Callahan and Glass denied the second opportunity as well.
After three additional periods of hockey, two full games, Game 1 of the Pacific Division Finals required a fourth overtime. Just over four minutes into the seventh period of the game, Roy tried to maneuver around a Condors defenseman. Unable to get around, he slid the puck to Comtois who powered his way to the net, getting a shot past Starrett to finally conclude one of the longest games in AHL history.
Dating to the regular season, San Diego has earned points in 10 straight road games (4-0-2-0 regular season, 3-0 playoffs), in addition to 25 of their last 29 road contests (17-4-4-2 regular season, 3-0 playoffs).
The series will continue with Game 2 Saturday evening at Rabobank Arena (7 p.m., FOX 5 San Diego) before it shifts to San Diego for Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday, May 8 (7 p.m.) and Friday, May 10 (7 p.m.) at Pechanga Arena San Diego.